Foramen of Winslow Hernia: A Case Report

The foramen of Winslow represents the only anatomically normal intraabdominal fossa with potential internal hernia formation. Such hernias are rare, with fewer than 200 cases reported in the world literature. The underlying cause is related to a redundant right colonic mesentery with nonfixation of the bowel to the lateral abdominal wall, which can occur in 10% of the population. In this report, a patient with a foramen of Winslow hernia involving the terminal ileum, the right colon, and the proximal transverse colon is presented. Gradual reduction of the hernia under the hepatoduodenal ligament was followed by surgical fixation of the right colon. This unusual case emphasizes 1) the diagnostic challenges of a hernia beneath the hepatoduodenal ligament, 2) the associated radiologic findings, and 3) the surgical treatment options.